Manchester United warns Manchester City supporters ahead of the derby clash in the Carabao Cup semi-final fixture at the Old Trafford.
Manchester United and Manchester City are set to play the derby game at the Old Trafford tonight. But the management at Manchester United issue warning to the fans coming to support their counterparts.
According to a report by the BBC clubs jointly decided to cut away allocations for the two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final on security grounds. There are fears Manchester City fans could buy tickets in home areas after United put tickets on general sale after failing to sell out.
“We have a series of measures in place to minimise any risks and anyone visibly or audibly supporting the away team in home areas will be denied entry to the ground or ejected during the game,” said United, who have also emailed their season ticket holders with a reminder that “all tickets must be used by Manchester United supporters”.
It is expected around 70,000 fans will be at the game. According to the report, tonight’s crowd will be the highest for a Manchester United game in the Carabao Cup since 2010. but still expected to fall short by 6000 in numbers to full capacity.
The failure to sell-out will cost United more than £200,000 in lost gate receipts and would almost certainly have been avoided had it not been for the joint decision to cut normal away allocations for such fixtures.
Instead of the 10% allocation as stipulated in Football League regulations, City received 3,000 tickets for the game, with United getting around 2,800 for the return leg at Etihad Stadium on 29 January.
This has been decided by both clubs after a series of incidents, especially when Fred was allegedly racially abused by a Manchester City fan in the Premier League fixture.
Further, It is also understood at the previous semi-final, there were flashpoints that made the clubs wary of the consequences of a repeat. Manchester United says increased police, stewarding and crowd surveillance will be in operation ‘both inside and outside the ground’.
